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ianayris's review
5.0
The Gaia Effect is not my normal kind of reading, but a thoroughly enjoyable read, nonetheless. Set in a dystopian future where the surviving population live in domed cities protecting them from the radiation outside, a company called Corporation exists to provide the people with everything they desire. Arguably the most important contribution from Corporation is providing a population made sterile by the radiation in the water with lab-grown babies (Corporation provides the people with clean water too). The creativity Buss shows in this regard is brilliant, and terrifying at the same time - a sort of modern day Brave New World.
Now, no business likes competition. Corporation are no different. So, when three friends all become pregnant by natural means, they are in immediate danger. When the friends begin to speak together of their fears and wonder how this natural conception occurred when everyone is supposed to be sterile, they discover all of them have recently seen a vision of a shimmering blue lady. Once the identity of this blue lady is confirmed, it becomes clear something is happening far more profound than any of them realise.
The Gaia Effect is Buss’ first novel, and speaks of the ancient and the modern, what it is to be dependent upon an overarching, largely anonymous, overseer, and, most of all, what it is to be a woman. The novel chimes with many modern day concerns, and is, I believe, a fascinating debut from an author to look out for in the years to come.
Now, no business likes competition. Corporation are no different. So, when three friends all become pregnant by natural means, they are in immediate danger. When the friends begin to speak together of their fears and wonder how this natural conception occurred when everyone is supposed to be sterile, they discover all of them have recently seen a vision of a shimmering blue lady. Once the identity of this blue lady is confirmed, it becomes clear something is happening far more profound than any of them realise.
The Gaia Effect is Buss’ first novel, and speaks of the ancient and the modern, what it is to be dependent upon an overarching, largely anonymous, overseer, and, most of all, what it is to be a woman. The novel chimes with many modern day concerns, and is, I believe, a fascinating debut from an author to look out for in the years to come.
si0bhan's review
4.0
The Gaia Effect is a wonderful quick story. It has all the elements of a great dystopian novel whilst maintain originality in the current trend that is leading to a lot of repetitive notions.
Truthfully, I’m always a bit nervous when entering a new dystopian novel. I love dystopian stories, yet I feel as though I’ve read them all. I feel as though things are becoming far too repetitive; I feel as though the something different we’re all searching for is appearing less and less frequently. Thus, when I enter new dystopian novels I do so with a bit of tentatively – it’s a case of hoping for the best whilst expecting the worst (well, not the worst exactly, but I do not expect a mind blowing read just the kind that will happily pass the time). Fortunately, The Gaia Effect did give something different – it gave me that something more.
All dystopian novels have trademarks that are a necessary aspect of the story. The corruption; the darkness; the need for change. I could write a massive list, but everyone knows what to expect by now. The first big hurdle any author of the genre faces is to ensure all of these elements are given ample attention. Side-by-side with creating a new world, The Gaia Effect manages to deliver all of the necessary aspects. The world is unique and intriguing, the way of life compelling and in need of change, and the characters pull us into their lives.
In fact, I was so pulled into the world that I worked my way through this one in a single sitting. The first couple of chapters I was a little bit unsure, I was wrapping my head around the world building, yet once the momentum got going I found I could not put the story down. I was curious as to what would happen next, I was in drastic need of answers. You know there are secrets to be uncovered, and I found myself eager to see how the reveals would come about. Without a doubt, the world gripped me throughout.
The entire story was original, giving us something different in a plagued world. I do not wish to say too much, but this one takes a very simple notion and turns the story into something wonderful. There is more depth to the story than the synopsis initially had me believing, the story has more elements that quite a few of the dystopian novels out there. There are more elements brought into this one than a simple corrupt future.
Honestly, it was a wonderful read. I would have liked for the story to be a bit longer, I would have liked to spend more time in the world than I did, but as it was the story made a very enjoyable quick read. If you’re a fan of dystopian novels and you’re looking for something a bit different to the current trend of teenagers and their life or death situations, then this book is very much for you.
A wonderful read, one I’m pleased to have won in a blog tour giveaway.
Truthfully, I’m always a bit nervous when entering a new dystopian novel. I love dystopian stories, yet I feel as though I’ve read them all. I feel as though things are becoming far too repetitive; I feel as though the something different we’re all searching for is appearing less and less frequently. Thus, when I enter new dystopian novels I do so with a bit of tentatively – it’s a case of hoping for the best whilst expecting the worst (well, not the worst exactly, but I do not expect a mind blowing read just the kind that will happily pass the time). Fortunately, The Gaia Effect did give something different – it gave me that something more.
All dystopian novels have trademarks that are a necessary aspect of the story. The corruption; the darkness; the need for change. I could write a massive list, but everyone knows what to expect by now. The first big hurdle any author of the genre faces is to ensure all of these elements are given ample attention. Side-by-side with creating a new world, The Gaia Effect manages to deliver all of the necessary aspects. The world is unique and intriguing, the way of life compelling and in need of change, and the characters pull us into their lives.
In fact, I was so pulled into the world that I worked my way through this one in a single sitting. The first couple of chapters I was a little bit unsure, I was wrapping my head around the world building, yet once the momentum got going I found I could not put the story down. I was curious as to what would happen next, I was in drastic need of answers. You know there are secrets to be uncovered, and I found myself eager to see how the reveals would come about. Without a doubt, the world gripped me throughout.
The entire story was original, giving us something different in a plagued world. I do not wish to say too much, but this one takes a very simple notion and turns the story into something wonderful. There is more depth to the story than the synopsis initially had me believing, the story has more elements that quite a few of the dystopian novels out there. There are more elements brought into this one than a simple corrupt future.
Honestly, it was a wonderful read. I would have liked for the story to be a bit longer, I would have liked to spend more time in the world than I did, but as it was the story made a very enjoyable quick read. If you’re a fan of dystopian novels and you’re looking for something a bit different to the current trend of teenagers and their life or death situations, then this book is very much for you.
A wonderful read, one I’m pleased to have won in a blog tour giveaway.
keyla_damaer's review
4.0
After the Event, people live in little cities with synth food and drinks. The cities are governed separately by the Corporation ,and surrounded by protective walls. No one gets in or out. Humans are sterile and reproduce through a not really clear system called collection. Couples wanting children have to apply to have them, and it seems that getting one is not so easy. Waiting lists are long. The story begins with Kira and Jed Jenkins collecting their child. The same Jed, a police officer is given a rape case, just to find out that the victim is Martha Gamble, a dear friend of his wife. On top of that Martha is found pregnant, an anomaly, given the sterility of humanity
For here the story goes on with constant surprises until a plot twist changes the rule’s game
I snatched The Gaia Project by Claire Buss at the 12 Days of Christmas Book Buying Event on Facebook and read it in five days, but only because I was sick after starting it. I’m a quick reader, but only if the story is compelling and this one definitely was.
Despite treating dark subjects, the story never feels claustrophobic like 1984, but technically the Corporation controls every aspect of humanity.
The plot twist happening at some point made me drop my mouth open. A wow moment that made my day. The story wraps up at the end, still, it leaves many doubts and the desire to read the sequels. From the blurb that one seems interesting too.
What I didn’t like of the novel was the fact that aside from a few episodes by the end, there are no arguments whatsoever between the principal characters. Not even between the protagonists, Kira and Jed. As husband and wife, they would have plenty of reasons to do so. All couples do. But even between Kira, Martha, Ruth, and Dina there’s no argument for most of the story.
For here the story goes on with constant surprises until a plot twist changes the rule’s game
I snatched The Gaia Project by Claire Buss at the 12 Days of Christmas Book Buying Event on Facebook and read it in five days, but only because I was sick after starting it. I’m a quick reader, but only if the story is compelling and this one definitely was.
Despite treating dark subjects, the story never feels claustrophobic like 1984, but technically the Corporation controls every aspect of humanity.
The plot twist happening at some point made me drop my mouth open. A wow moment that made my day. The story wraps up at the end, still, it leaves many doubts and the desire to read the sequels. From the blurb that one seems interesting too.
What I didn’t like of the novel was the fact that aside from a few episodes by the end, there are no arguments whatsoever between the principal characters. Not even between the protagonists, Kira and Jed. As husband and wife, they would have plenty of reasons to do so. All couples do. But even between Kira, Martha, Ruth, and Dina there’s no argument for most of the story.
gnatj's review
4.0
A wonderfully unique dystopian story.
I totally enjoyed reading this differnt take on the dystopian genre.
While the big bad in this story is definitely Big and Bad, and while there is mystery, intrigue and death, the overwhelming feeling in this book is one of lightness and hope.
The story flows and just keeps picking up pace and I couldn't put it down. It was a thourally enjoyable read.
I totally enjoyed reading this differnt take on the dystopian genre.
While the big bad in this story is definitely Big and Bad, and while there is mystery, intrigue and death, the overwhelming feeling in this book is one of lightness and hope.
The story flows and just keeps picking up pace and I couldn't put it down. It was a thourally enjoyable read.
romireads's review
4.0
When I read the blurb for the first time, I got huge Brave New World (because of the pregnancies) and Nineteen-Eightyfour (because of the whole big Corporation watching over you from cradle to grave, brrr) vibes. It really made me curious about the book and hope that it wouldn’t be a far cry from those huge works of dystopian literature. And luckily, it wasn’t! Where I normally have a hard time reading any science fiction novel, I didn’t with The Gaia Effect. Not at all. It was both futuristic AND believable!
Just like the day of today, a big part of the daily news gets spread via a kind of social medium. It took me some time to figure out how the chatnames worked, but when I finally did (they were abbreviations for the character’s and corporation’s names) I thought it was a lovely addition to the story! You really get to see how social media works and what’s good about it, but also what’s wrong about it. The wrong part about it is all the gossip and the inciting messages which, of course, made it more exciting for me, as a the reader. Although I was really glad I could read it, safe and sound, on the couch in my 2017 home. (Things got nasty, real quick).
At the same time I found it hard to really bond with the main characters somehow, and I couldn’t really get a good grip on how this futuristic world looked like. I think I missed discriptions of the surroundings and the characters were a bit too sketchy, in my opinion. All this made me not care that much about the horrible events in the book, although I knew they were absolutely horrific!
All in all, I loved the cautionary tale that The Gaia Effect is. On some days I could really cry about what we’re all doing to this beautiful Earth we borrowed and The Gaia Effect shows one possible outcome. And I can tell ya, it’s not a pretty one.
3.5/5 ★
*I received an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*/5!
Just like the day of today, a big part of the daily news gets spread via a kind of social medium. It took me some time to figure out how the chatnames worked, but when I finally did (they were abbreviations for the character’s and corporation’s names) I thought it was a lovely addition to the story! You really get to see how social media works and what’s good about it, but also what’s wrong about it. The wrong part about it is all the gossip and the inciting messages which, of course, made it more exciting for me, as a the reader. Although I was really glad I could read it, safe and sound, on the couch in my 2017 home. (Things got nasty, real quick).
At the same time I found it hard to really bond with the main characters somehow, and I couldn’t really get a good grip on how this futuristic world looked like. I think I missed discriptions of the surroundings and the characters were a bit too sketchy, in my opinion. All this made me not care that much about the horrible events in the book, although I knew they were absolutely horrific!
All in all, I loved the cautionary tale that The Gaia Effect is. On some days I could really cry about what we’re all doing to this beautiful Earth we borrowed and The Gaia Effect shows one possible outcome. And I can tell ya, it’s not a pretty one.
3.5/5 ★
*I received an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*/5!
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